Subject of Possible Rule Making: Implementation of 2025 legislation (SHB 1543, 69th legislature, 2025 regular session) authorizing the department of commerce (commerce) to adopt additional compliance pathways, expand exemption criteria, and approve extensions for covered buildings to comply with the clean buildings performance standard (chapter 19.27A RCW). This rule making will explore options to increase flexibility and compliance options, as well as eligibility for exemptions, to help building owners plan for and meet the standards of the law.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: SHB 1543 enables broader compliance with the clean buildings performance standard by reducing financial barriers and increasing flexibility for building owners. This flexibility will enable more building owners to plan and manage building upgrades that will help Washington's built environment stay on pace with economy wide carbon emissions reductions required in statute. Rule making is necessary to align the clean buildings performance standard rules with, and to implement, the new statutory changes.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Annalyn Bergin, 1011 Plum Street S.E., phone 360-584-6905, email buildings@commerce.wa.gov, website https://www.commerce.wa.gov/growing-the-economy/energy/buildings/.

Additional comments: Commerce maintains an email distribution list for communication with stakeholders. Interested parties may add their names to the distribution list by visiting the web page listed above.